Steakhouse syndrome is a condition in which a mass of food (called a bolus) becomes stuck in the lower part of the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach.

If the bolus does not pass into the stomach on its own, your doctor may consider treatment, such as:

Drinking a carbonated beverage to help move the bolus into your stomach

Giving a substance called glucagon by an injection—This will decrease the pressure in your esophagus, allowing the bolus to pass into your stomach.

If the bolus still does not pass or you are not able to swallow your saliva, the doctor may need to remove it from your esophagus. An endoscope can locate the bolus. Once the bolus has been found, tiny surgical instruments are passed down the endoscope to remove the bolus. In some case, the bolus may move into the stomach during the procedure.

Often, the doctor will also look for underlying conditions that may have put you at risk for this problem.

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of steakhouse syndrome:

Chew slowly and until the food is small enough to safely swallow.

If you have been diagnosed with a condition that affects your esophagus, follow your treatment plan.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to EBSCO's Editorial Team regarding the content please e-mail healthlibrarysupport@ebscohost.com.